Weather played havoc with the final windsurfing event of the year, the Irish championship at Roundstone, Co Galway.

Saturday's storms made racing impossible, but the 1998 Heineken Windsurfing Tour winner had already been decided, with Oisin Van Gelderen taking his third consecutive title.

Force-11 gusts were recorded at Gurteen Bay, where the most experienced boardsailors in Ireland and Britain were restricted to wave sailing.

The winds abated on Sunday and five races, including two seven-mile offshore "masterblasts", were sailed in between wind changes.

Van Gelderen emphasised his authority over the home fleet with two second places. The Irish champion said he was satisfied to finish close behind British national championship leader Mike Bert, who showed great power off the starting line and left the fleet stranded in most races.

Windsurfing Tour (final overall); 1, O Van Gelderen; 2, J Cochrane; 3, S Flanagan. Eric's Fifth Mission (at Roundstone, Co Galway) Overall: 1, M Bert (Gbr) 3.75; 2, O Van Gel deren (IRL) 11.00; 3, J Gilbert (GBR) 14.75; 4, J Davall (GBR) 22.00; 5, D Donald (GBR) 25.00; 6, J Meehan (IRL) 30.00. Fun fleet: 1, C O'Mon gain; 2, C Kirby; 3, A Bret;